American Stories

by Calvin Trillin

Compiles twelve of the author's favorite nonfiction narratives that have appeared in "The New Yorker," capturing the spirit and rich detail of American living

Genres: Essays, Short Stories, Nonfiction, History

288 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 1991

About the author

Calvin (Bud) Marshall Trillin is an American journalist, humorist, and novelist. He is best known for his humorous writings about food and eating, but he has also written much serious journalism, comic verse, and several books of fiction.

Trillin attended public schools in Kansas City and went on to Yale University, where he served as chairman of the Yale Daily News and became a member of Scroll and Key before graduating in 1957; he later served as a trustee of the university. After a stint in the U.S. Army, he worked as a reporter for Time magazine before joining the staff of The New Yorker in 1963. His reporting for The New Yorker on the racial integration of the University of Georgia was published in his first book, An Education in Georgia. He wrote the magazine's "U.S. Journal" series from 1967 to 1982, covering local events both serious and quirky throughout the United States.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd meant to pick up the book next to this on the shelf, but decided to just read it anyways since I'd already brought it home. I'm glad I did. Trillin's writing on these reporting pieces he did for the New Yorker is beautiful, and it especially made me think about American's feelings about justice, the value of human life, and how we respond to the offensive/threatening in our lives.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trillin is at his best in this collection when he’s writing true crime stories. And not so good when writing about his friends.

[Gary Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed Calvin Trillin's writing style. This is an excellent book of short stories about life in 'my town' USA. I was especially interested since i have a 'neighbor' in one of the stories. I do judge Mr. Trillin for his not mentioning Hunter S. Thompson, Clarence 'Cave' Wilson, Clarence Glover, Charley Moran or my grandmother Lora O Turner in his story about Horse Cave, Ky. All in all it is an excellent book and all twelve short stories are very interesting. Enjoy.

[Allison Floyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly? I skimmed/skipped most of it. This has to do with not being particularly interested in the bulk of the subject matter. The writing is first-rate. The selections I enjoyed were "The Life and Times of Joe Bob Briggs, So Far" (for the career inspiration) and "Covering the Cops". "Zei-da-man" is one of the most poignant things I can remember reading and had me tearing up on the bus, which is in itself a poignant experience. I'm curious about his food writing.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are great old narratives from The New Yorker, often but not always about killings over boundary disputes and other inexplicable events which Trillin explains with his characteristic light touch.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were a couple I couldn't get into (like the one about Penn & Teller and another about Ben & Jerry) but all the others I loved. I just discovered Trillin and his writing is so descriptive and well written...now on to read my next book by him!

[Grillables · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't enamored of some of his subject matter, but Trillin is a good writer and the pieces are well put-together.

[Joette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of articles previously published in The New Yorker tells us something about who we are as Americans.

[Rod Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth a look though most of the stories are from the '80s so there in nothing current. All non-fiction. I always enjoyed Trillin when he was on Letterman.

[Andy Gagnon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Calvin Trillin is always enjoyable to read. These long 'fireside stories', as he calls them, from the New Yorker, are a little dated. Sort of like taking a trip back to the 80's and 90's.

[Rob Gall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine read in no way diminished or outdated by the act that the collection was published in 1991.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A broad selection of non-fiction essays on a wide variety of conflict-laden American stories - I really enjoy some of Trillin's more contemporary writings, but this volume has not aged very well.

[Art]

I intend to read more of Trillin's books in the months ahead as they are as timeless as reading Mark Twain.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed all the stories except the Penn and Teller. I couldn't get into it, although I did finish it. Calvin Trillin writes in a newsy style like he's telling us the story over the backyard fence. I am surprised that I enjoyed it so much, since it's been on the shelf for so many years, and I plucked it off by accident.

[Vikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love the way Calvin Trillin writes. I particularly liked the story on one of my favorite parts of Kentucky (south,Central) that was just hilarious. The story on Martin Anderson and one on Zeida Man,an American who caught a virus in China. There were great thought on the death of a child.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful writing, interesting people.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of America's best writers.